TV3@20: The journey in the Upper East Region

The Upper East Region started receiving free to air TV3 signal in 2012 after waiting anxiously over a decade when the station became fully operational in 1997.

The TV3 signal covers almost the entire region reaching areas like Bawku central, Garu-Tempane, Kassena Nankana east, Kassena Nankana west, Bongo district and parts of neighboring Burkina Faso and Togo. The signal even transcends to parts of the Northern region like Walewale, Nankpanduri, Gambaga, Yagba-Kobore and Nalerigu.

TV3’s regional correspondent, Tanko Mohammed Rabiu reports of how people in the Upper East Region can now be proud of a unique, educative, entertaining and an informative television network that meets their satisfaction in all aspect of human life.

As soon as the residents of Bolgatanga saw TV3 18-seater van in the municipality for the first time in 2012, it was all excitement. Some exhibited their readiness to welcome the network by monitoring the movement of the vehicle in town as they consistently tuned their television sets for the signal. After one week of installation, the signal finally hit the airwaves of the region on November 2, 2012.

The minimum kilometer radius of the signal is 60km and maximum is 80km. Majority of people in the region launched the network by watching the IEA presidential debate in Tamale in 2012 telecasted live by TV3.

The technical team that came from Accra with the Chinese technicians was led by head of engineering at TV3, Dankwa Joseph who thanked the management of GBC, the Bolga Naba, people in the region and staff of VRA Bolga branch who gave them the support and encouragement to install the transmitter and assured the people of the region of quality transmission and good programs, which they never disappoint.

The team went to Bolgatanga, Navrongo and Paga to monitor and really ascertain the excitement over the transmission. Many people the team spoke to expressed satisfaction, ultimately, they said the signal came at the right time when election 2012 was just at the corner, and trusted TV3 as the best station to get facts concerning the elections.

About 98% of residents in Bolgatanga and 65% of residents in the Upper East Region, in general, continue to enjoy current affair programs like New Day, Hot Issues and the Agenda; not forgetting entertainment programs like GMB, Talented Kidz, Music Music and soap opera.

As TV3 celebrates its 20th anniversary in the month of October, residents in Upper East sum up their impression of TV3 since it started airing in the region from 2012.

“Since TV3 came to the region, we have had so many excitements and educative programs especially current affairs program like New Day, Agenda and we say kudos to TV3,” Peter Wedem.

“We use to enjoy only GTV and Metro TV until TV3 came in 2012 and everybody switched to TV3 due to its programs. Our children like Talented Kidz and our young ladies like GMB so we think TV3 has come to save us from darkness,” Francis Dabang he stated.